SUMMARY:
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010, through September 8, 2013. The subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that may corrode and allow water to get inside.

My brake booster went out a couple months ago, while towing a trailer weighing a couple of tons. I made it to my destination . . . at low speed and having to pretty much stand on the brake pedal to get any braking action (Warning: Professional driver on closed course. Do not try this at home. Your mileage may vary.).

I'm not sure that it was related to this specific problem, but my 2012 had about 50,000 miles on it, with lots of exposure to water, snow and salt, so it may have been caused as a result of corrosion.

Anyway, just a note to let y'all know that there's at least one forum member out here who has had a brake booster fail and experienced the pucker factor associated therewith.

Per the report, looks like we should start seeing these recall notices sometime in May. Today's recall affects a total of 867,795 vehicles -- 644,354 registered in the U.S., 42,380 registered in Canada, 21,376 registered in Mexico, and an additional 159,685 elsewhere on the planet. Chrysler reports one accident related to the problem but no injuries.

NHTSA says that Chrysler will begin mailing recall notices to owners in May. At that time, owners will be able to take their vehicles to dealers, who will test the brake booster. If it can hold ample vacuum pressure, the dealer will install a water diverter shield on the booster, which should eliminate any potential problems. If, on the other hand, the booster fails the pressure test, it will be replaced.